Latest On Wisconsin Outdoor Columns
5-30-2012
Due to lies told by bloggers who claim that Dr. James Kroll will shut down public lands to deer hunting, Kroll submitted a column for publication to “On Wisconsin Outdoors” and other media entitled “Where I Stand”. Read it here under “Deer Hunting”. Dr. Kroll was hired by Governor Scott Walker to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whitetail deer management practices in Wisconsin.
Also directly related to deer management and posted under “Deer Hunting” The Safari Club International (SCI) Chapters of Wisconsin presented a $25,000 check to DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp at Wednesday’s Natural Resources Board meeting to be used to conduct a white-tailed deer predation study. The Wisconsin Predator-Prey Interaction Study will examine the various challenges of finding a balance between predator and prey populations.
“This generous donation from the Safari Club International Foundation will be used for field research to assess causes and rates of fawn and adult buck mortality in Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer herd,” said Dr. Karl Martin, Section Chief of the Wildlife and Forestry Research Division of the DNR. “Partnerships like these are the key component to the success of large-scale field research projects.”
Joe Koback, chairman of SCI’s state political committee was also on hand for the meeting. “We are always looking for ways to improve on Wisconsin’s herd management practices,” said Koback. “Studies like this help provide real, science-based evidence on how to best manage both predator and prey species.”
Meet Dave Hraychuck a guide who works the woods and waters of northwest Wisconsin, primarily in Polk County, who was born to be wild. Hraychuck became a friend two years ago when I wandered to the top of the state and returned again to find a few stories. He does the work and I write about it and take the photos; I remember we came home with big crappies and bluegills and some nice trout. Dave is one of our many guides who knows what he’s doing in the field regardless of the time of year.
This week, Dave submitted two stories with photos. Dave and Ann Hraychuck, a classy lady and much better looking than Dave who also knows what she’s doing with a fishing rod, got into “even bigger bluegills than you and I did last year,” he said. That story followed on the heels of Dave’s trip to North Dakota to visit his son and participate in the opener of the Paddlefish snagging season. Read that story and see some head-turning photos under “Trips Elsewhere”.
Hraychuck isn’t the only guide or local expert who has the fish cornered. Tap into either “Fishing Reports” or “Inland Fishing” and read about the tactics our very own fishing addicts are using to catch what and where throughout Wisconsin. I say this often, but one of the best things about being a traveling outdoor writer is that I get a front row seat in the boat when these guys spotlight their backyards. It’s just fun. Listen to what they have to say and put into practice what they do. I bet you catch more fish on your own favorite lake. Or give them a call.
Under “Dick’s Trips” we post a journey to Door County a decade ago with friends John Volkman and Eric Carper. The fishery is even better today than it was then if you have not tried this yet. Most notable, in the 2003 story, as veteran Green Bay anglers Volkman and “Carp” questioned the validity of fishermen who claimed catching five pound smallmouth with frequency. It was my hosts’ belief then that catching that big a smallmouth was relatively rare. The tune has changed over the years.
“Now a five pounder is common,” said Volkman this week. “I know of fish caught over seven pounds and the bass population is in great shape. This year fishing is great for everything. If the wind would just stop blowing for a day.”
Duck hunters, a Delta Waterfowl study has confirmed what you have long suspected: harvests of many waterfowl are taking place significantly later in the year than in previous decades.
The study examined data from the annual Parts Collection Survey. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has collected comprehensive harvest data from hunters since 1961.
“With few exceptions, harvest dates for mallards throughout the mid-latitude and southern states have become consistently later,” says Dr. Frank Rohwer, one of the study authors. “Mallard harvest is on average ten days later in Arkansas, fifteen days later in California, sixteen days later in Illinois, and twelve days later in Virginia.”
The study found that most migrant duck species, including gadwall, ring-necked, pintails and green-winged teal, have significantly later harvest dates. Blue-winged/cinnamon teal and mottled ducks were the only species to run against the trend.
“Hunters have suspected this was happening, and for the first time, we’ve seen the data that confirms this on a big scale,” says Rohwer. “As usual, hunters seem to know more than we give them credit for.”
Read it all under “Waterfowl Hunting”.
The 2012 Southeastern Wisconsin SCTP Youth Trapshooting Conference season comes to a close with results posted under “Firearms”. Over 500 young athletes took their final shots of the ten-week season as the twelve area schools prepare for senior graduations and summer break.
For the second consecutive year the Burlington High School Demons finished with an unblemished conference record by downing Cudahy (1-9) 119-98. Christian Jensen, Jordan Hintz, Terry Carr and Myles Walker each broke 24 to lead the Demons over the Packers who were led by Andrea Turlick’s 23. For information on how to start a trap team at your local high school contact SCTP Director of Development at 262-939-6664.
Don’t forget “Outdoor News” when you’re checking out new items posted on the “On Wisconsin Outdoors” website over the last few days. There are now regularly all kinds of news items coming in from all kinds of people directly interested in Wisconsin’s great outdoors. Send your own upcoming events and we’ll post them for you too.
The Bob Ellis Rowtrolling Classic is Saturday June 16 starting in Presque Isle. Connect with www.row-troller.com or call 608-220-0989. Ojibwa Bowhunters annual Spanferkel including Open 3-D Shoot, entertainment, pig roast, door prizes and kid’s games is June 23 in New Berlin. Contact Rick at 414-351-0951 for more information.